Knocking/Rattling 7.3 - engine or converter?

[fffloyd]

I bought this F250 new in 96. It has 245,000 miles and has been a great truck. I put a Bullydog 50hp chip in a few years ago and a larger down pipe and open (exposed - can't remember name) air filter in about 5 months ago. It always knocked but after the air filter it was much louder. It has reached a point that it is miserable to drive the truck. I have had it looked at by 2 techs and both have mentioned a bad wrist pin. I have heard that a failing torque converter makes a vibration and noise similar to this. It goes away with acceleration and upon reaching cruiseing speed rattles/clatters like a tank. It reminds me somewhat of a bad throw out bearing on a standard transmission I once had. It's about to whip me and an engine would cost a heap of cash. Thanks

[fffloyd]

The rest of the story - After 4-5 technicians listened to my engine they all decided it was definitly in the engine and not the torque converter. Most agreed that it was a wrist pin. Anyway, I just had a Jasper Remanufactured Engine dropped in and it purrs like a new one. I did ask if they could give me a report of what they find when they break it down. The 7.3L should last longer than 250,000 miles, but I think my 15 year old son may have played a part in its failure. He had sunk the truck in a mud hole and spun down to the frame recently. I believe he ran the engine up over the red line and caused the damage. I don't know anything else that could have caused this because I always serviced the truck as recommended.

[Errick Bodenheimer]

I have had a couple of 7.3s come in making a noise somewhat like you describe a it turned out to be a flex plate!!!